AN international conference on stroke treatment gets under way in the region today.

It is hoped the conference could lead to better treatment for stroke victims throughout Europe as well as boosting the North-East economy.

The choice of Newcastle to host the Spasm event reflects the leading role of North-East scientists in the search for better spasticity treatment.

The aim of the conference, which has attracted 130 doctors and therapists from 13 countries, is to agree common standards for measuring and managing spasticity, a side-effect of strokes.

Because the proportion of old people in Europe is growing rapidly, doctors are seeing an increasing incidence of stroke. Many victims suffer from involuntary muscle spasms or rigidity.

With promising new treatments emerging, such as botox injections, which are used to relax the muscles, there is a growing need for agreed standards.

The Spasm project, funded by the European Commission, is the work of an international scientific consortia, led by the Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering Studies at Newcastle University.

Professor Fred Wright, chief executive of the Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences, said, "The North-East is the perfect place to hold this conference. Not only does it have the largest university institute for ageing and health in Europe, but it also has achieved an international reputation for excellence in this field.

Prof Wright said the region could play a vital role in the development of new treatments.